Odisha: Cultural Event Deadline At Cuttack Bali Jatra Extended By 30 Minutes

Cuttack: The deadline for cultural event at Cuttack Bali Jatra was extended by 30 minutes, a day after Ollywood singer Asima Panda’s performance was stopped midway due to the time restrictions.

Cuttack Collector Datatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, in a notification, said that use of the sound systems/loud speakers will be allowed till 10.30 pm from November 17-22 at both Ganakabi Baishnab Pani Mancha and Akshay Mohanty Mancha at Lower Bali Jatra Ground in the larger interest of general public.

The Additional District Magistrate (General), Cuttack, has been designated as the Nodal Officer for implementing the order.

Cultural troupes from different countries, state and districts are invited to showcase their culture, tradition and rich heritage during Bali Jatra, the Asia’s largest open trade fair which is also recognised as state-level Utsav.

On Saturday, a team of police personnel entered the stage and stopped the popular singer from performing at Ganakabi Baishnab Pani Mancha. Despite the request from the ADM to continue the cultural event, it was brought to an unexpected halt, causing resentment among the visitors, who blamed it on lack of coordination between the district administration and police.